Abstract
Perceived
exercise benefits and barriers among staff and students in tertiary
institutions in Adamawa State were investigated as a basis for formulating
proper exercise intervention strategies. The study utilized descriptive survey
design. The purpose of the study was to determine perceived exercise benefits
and barriers among staff and students of tertiary institutions in Adamawa
state, Nigeria. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire
adapted from Exercise Benefit/Barrier Scale (EBBS) developed by Sechrist,
Walker and Pender (1985) which was validated by five experts. Eight hundred and
fifty (850) copies of the questionnaire were distributed among respondents in
six institutions of higher learning in Adamawa state. The scale comprised two
components; Benefits and Barriers dimensions. The barriers scales needed not to
be reversed scored in this case because both benefits and barriers scales were
used independently in the study. To achieve this purpose, twelve research
questions were posed and ten null hypotheses postulated for their verification
at .05 level of significance. The
instrument had a four response forced-choice Likert-type format with responses
ranging from 4 = strongly agree (SA), 3 = Agree (A), 2 = Disagree (D) and 1 =
strongly Disagree (SD).The findings of the study revealed that both male and
female staff in institutions of higher learning in Adamawa state perceived
exercise as highly beneficial. However, male staff had higher perceived
benefits score than their female counterparts. (Male: = 95.02. SD = 3.08) > female: = 94.04, SD = 4.35. Also, both male and female
students in institutions of higher learning in Adamawa state perceived exercise
as beneficial, but female students reported higher perception than the male
students. (Female:=94.50=4.13>male:
= 93.74,SD=4.33).
There were also no significant difference in perceived exercise barriers
between staff and students of tertiary institutions in Adamawa state. Based on
the finding of the study, it was concluded that both staff and students of
tertiary institutions perceived exercise as highly beneficial, and also
perceived barriers to exercise as highly important factor influencing
participation in exercise. It was recommended that since staff and student in
institutions of higher learning in Adamawa State irrespective of gender and
religious affiliations have basic knowledge of perceived benefits of exercise,
there is the need to explore programme that will enable both students and staff
across the sub-groups to overcome barriers that could discourage physical
exercise participation.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Background to the Study
Participation in exercise has remained an important behavioural lifestyle for promoting and maintaining recreational experience, social and psychological wellbeing, and physical health. Exercise has become so important globally that it has increasingly attracted the interest of many governments of the world (Daskapan, Tuzun & Eker 2006). As a result, participation in many countries of the world has been made mandatory (El Ansari & Phillips 2004). Also, in many establishments such as in industries and schools, certain periods are set out to enable workers or students participate in exercises of their choice (El Ansari & Lovell, 2009).
Exercise is any form of physical activity that is specifically planned, structured and repetitive such as weight training, tai chi, or an aerobics class, (Sofi, Capalbo, Cesari, Abbate & Gensini, 2008). Exercise is an activity that gets one’s body moving which enables the respiratory organ to undergo some physiological changes (National Institute of Health 2012).
Exercise is an activity done for the purpose of refreshing the body cardio respiratory organism so as to enable the body performs above average levels of human endeavours. This principally explained further that individuals young and old irrespective of gender are liable to some illnesses ones they are not involved in regular exercise routine because of their physiological responses.
Cliff (1992) defined exercises as systematic process of repetitively programmed exercises or work involving acclimatisation, conditioning, repetitive performance exercise for development and maintenance of physical fitness that enables the individuals to cope with the general and specific sporting activities, be it competitive, recreational, casual or emergency activities. It is a deliberate movement of any part or the whole of the body for definite purpose. This definition implies that exercises have a lot of influence on and contribution to enhance qualities of life and promote optimum performance and wellness of participants.
Based on the above definitions, exercise can be described as the process of maintaining structurally organised physical activity programmes for the enhancement of body functions by the reactions of the skeletal muscles in order to produce results, which increases cardiovascular functional capacity and decreases myocardial oxygen demand at any level of physical activity in apparently healthy persons as well as most subjects with cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise is required to maintain these training effects.
According to Morgan (1979), physical activities are activities that are beneficial to any active individual, irrespective of whether they are recreational or commercial activities. Active participation in physical activities can reduce anxiety levels or worry. Physical activity also contributes many benefits to our physical well being. Abdullah and Omar Fauzee (2002) posited that among the benefits gained from physical activities are improvements of the lung system by way of deepening a person’s respiration as well as strengthening the heart’s muscles and increasing its size. A person who is physically active and exercises regularly will be able to adopt active lifestyle, look more attractive and experience changes in moods and self-esteem.
Physical activity involves the movements of the body that results in the contraction of skeletal muscles and increases in energy levels. There are numerous healthy lifestyles or behaviours that contribute to our quality of life, health and our general well-being. A study done by (National Association for Sport & Physical Education, 2003), found that women’s perception and attitude on physical activities helps them to reduce their stress levels and improved their work-related time management. On the other hand, men view physical activities as a way to an active lifestyle. The attitude and perception of an individual towards physical activities determines his/her level of enthusiasm in living an active life. One’s attitude serves as an important evaluator that gives meaning to his/her symbol of identity (Bouchard, Lykken, McGue, Telegen & Segal 1990). In view of the above definitions by various researchers, physical activity can be seen as a process in which body movement is influenced by various factors in order for the physiological organs to function in accordance with the level of its duration, intensity and frequency. Duration could be seen as amount of time spent participating in physical activity session, intensity as the rate of energy expenditure and frequency, the number of physical activity session during a specific time period which includes some regular or moderate activities.
